About this episode

This episode features a conversation with Dr. Carrie Wilkens about how compassion and science can reshape the understanding of addiction.

What happens when compassion, science, and family come together to reshape the way we understand addiction? In this powerful episode, I talk with Dr. Carrie Wilkens co-founder of the Center for Motivation and Change (CMC) and co-author of Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change. We talk about the origins of CMC and how that created a blueprint that challenged the “tough love” approach so many families have been told is their only option. Together, we explore what has changed in addiction science over the past decade, what remains misunderstood, and how kindness continues to transform lives. You’ll hear us dig into: • What’s new in the 10th Anniversary Edition of Beyond Addiction—and how the science has evolved in the last decade. • Why relapse doesn’t erase progress and how parents can reframe it in ways that bring more peace of mind. • The harmful oversimplification of “choice” in addiction and how to think about it in a more accurate and compassionate way. • How parents can move beyond the paralyzing fear of “enabling” and make decisions that truly serve their family. This is a conversation filled with wisdom, validation, and forward-looking hope for…

People in this episode

Host: Heather Ross

Guest: Dr. Carrie Wilkens

Topics covered

• addiction
• compassion
• science
• family
• relapse
• kindness

Keywords

• addiction science
• tough love
• relapse
• enabling
• family support
• kindness
• motivation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Center for Motivation and Change

Books & works: Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change

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